Doldrums

For what seems like months (largely because it has been months!) there has been little progress - due almost entirely to low temperatures. Too cold to varnish, paint or use epoxy. Also, the polytunnel has been dripping constantly which really mucks up fresh epoxy. Now at last work is under way again but I confess I'm not one of the world's great varnishers. Nevertheless, I'm out there day after day rubbing down and applying coat after coat and hoping that I don't die before it's all completed. The base coats are of gloss but the finishing 2 coats will be Hempel's Dura Satin which seems far more in keeping with a trad. boat.

To distract myself, I've bought the sails - gorgeous dark tan from Sail Register - and am scouring the web for motors and trailers - neither of which I can currently afford. Surprisingly (or perhaps not) there's little information as to a suitable size of motor - just have to be guided by the size of the outboard well - probably a 4 - 6 hp with low pitch prop. Also, none of the advertised trailers seem to suit this style of hull so may end up visiting the local blacksmith again. Odd that there are no trailer manufacturers in Scotland. At least the low temps. haven't preventing progress with fitting 15 m of brass keelband (which involved a lot of lying underneath 300 kg of boat!) and the result looks quite smart. 

The locker lids and catches have also been completed and a couple of really cool bronze fairleads from Classic Marine have been fitted; almost looking ship shape now!